Agenda item

12.1 19C411N/1/ENF – 20 Parc Felin Ddŵr, Llaingoch, Holyhead

12.2 19C448B – Mountain View, Greenfield Terrace, Holyhead

12.3  39C589A/VAR/ENF – 1 Tros y Môr, St Georges Road, Menai Bridge

12.1  19C411N/ENF – Retrospective application for the sub-division of the dwelling to form two separate dwellings at 20 Parc Felin Ddŵr, Llaingoch, Holyhead

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.

Councillor Shaun Redmond, a Local Member said that planning approval was granted in 2009 for an extension at 20 Parc Felin Ddŵr.  He said that the owner has taken advantage of extending the dwelling to form two separate dwellings without planning approval which is a significant breach of planning policies.   Councillor Redmond questioned if a planning application was put forward to convert a dwelling at Parc Felin Ddŵr to form two separate dwellings would it have been approved.  He said that legal intervention needs to take place to deter such breaches of planning policies.  He further said that he did not accept that sub-division of the dwelling will have no detrimental effect on the adjoining properties; he said that parking issues will occur and there will be added vehicles to the property. 

The Planning Development Manager outlined the local objections to the application as noted within the report.  She said that planning permission was approved to erect an extension to the dwelling at Parc Felin Ddŵr but following enforcement visits to the property it is apparent that the dwelling has been sub-divided into two properties.  The Parc Felin Ddŵr estate has 18 dwellings which share an access to the estate.  The proposed application will not have a detrimental effect on the adjoining properties due to the existing use of the site as a residential dwelling.  Whilst acknowledging that planning permission was originally granted for alterations and extensions the applicant has in fact sub-divided the dwelling following extending the property.  The application is currently under consideration is a retrospective application.  The Planning Development Manager referred to the main planning considerations contained within the Officer’s report and referred to Paragraph 14.2.3 Welsh Government Development Management Manual which states :- ‘The intention should be to remedy the effects of the breach of planning control, not to punish the person(s) carrying out the breach.  Nor should enforcement action be taken simply to regularise development for which permission had not been sought, but with is otherwise acceptable’.    She further said that the Planning Authority administers retrospective applications as any other new planning applications it receives; applications are dealt with in line with current planning policies and decided whether they are acceptable.  

Members of the Committee expressed concerns as to continued retrospective applications being submitted to the Planning Authority.  It was suggested that the Council needs to forward more evidence to Welsh Government as to continued retrospective applications being received and that policies in respect of such applications needs to be reviewed.

Councillor Robin Williams proposed that the application be approved and Councillor John Griffith seconded the proposal. 

It was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions contained within the written report.

12.2  19C448B – Outline application for the erection of 2 dwellings which includes full details of the access on land between Mountain View, Greenfield Terrace, Holyhead

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member due to drainage concerns and the site has footpaths around the site but no details of these are part of the application.

The Planning Development Manager reported that a letter of objection has been received by a resident within the community which has right of way across the entrance to the application site. The site was previously a coal yard and the access to the site was part of the business use.   She noted that private access disputes is a private matter and not a planning consideration when dealing with such proposed application.  The Planning Development Manager further reported that the footpaths/back lanes around the development site will be retained.   Policy TAI 15 seeks appropriate provision of affordable housing; in Holyhead 10% affordable housing is required.  As the proposal falls below 1 unit a pro-rata commuted sum payment of £20k is required for affordable housing.  The Education Department have confirmed that no contribution is required for education in this instance. 

The Officer further reported that the Highways Authority has no objection to the application as they have carried out a speed survey within the location of the proposed development.  The foul drainage will connect into the existing main sewer.  Welsh Water has confirmed that they are satisfied with the proposal as major works have been undertaken in Holyhead to rectify sewerage works over the last few years.  However, the Drainage Section has confirmed that further surface water drainage details will be required with any reserved matters application.  The Environmental Health Section has also expressed that a condition needs to be attached to any approval of the application as to the remediation of the contaminated land.  The recommendation is of approval of the application subject to a S106 legal agreement for contribution towards affordable housing. 

Councillor T Ll Hughes said that he agreed with his fellow local elected members (as noted within the Officer’s report) that the development of houses would benefit the area as the land is being used for dumping litter and waste.  He reiterated his concerns as regards to highways and parking issues in Holyhead as he has in numerous Committees.   He further raised that the development site has footpaths around the site but no details of these are part of the application.   The Planning Development Manager responded that the applicant has submitted development plans as regards to the site and there will be no effect to the footpaths around the site. 

Councillor Eric W Jones proposed that the application be approved and Councillor Robin Williams seconded the proposal. 

It was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions contained within the written report.

12.3  39C589A/VAR/ENF – Application under Section 73A for the variation of condition (02) of planning permission reference 39C589 (Full application for alterations and extensions which includes a sun deck) so as to amend the design of the approved scheme, including the demolition and rebuilding of part of the ground floor at 1 Tros y Môr, St George’s Road, Menai Bridge

The application was reported to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.

Mr Sam Wilson (in support of the application) said that on the commencement of works on the site under the original approval of the application in 2007, it was discovered that there were no adequate foundations to the rear extension and they had to take necessary action to rectify this issue.  He noted that one objection had been received by one of their neighbour but he considered that the Planning Officer’s report to the Committee has adequately covered the concerns of the objector.

The Planning Development Manager reported that the objector to the application had submitted a request to speak but she was unable to attend the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances.  She noted that the objector had forwarded her concerns through correspondence with the Planning Department this morning.  The Planning Development Manager said that she considered that the matters raised had been addressed within the Officer’s report to the Committee.

The Planning Development Manager further reported that the original planning permission was granted in July 2017 for a first floor rear extension comprising a kitchen, sun lounge and sun deck.  She noted that as the applicant has stated that during commencement of the works it became apparent that the foundations of the existing extension was inadequate and demolition of the extension took place.  It was noted that that this application to amend the design of the extension is a retrospective application as the building has already taken place.  The design and character of the extension is not dissimilar to the previous building.  The Planning Development Manager said that it is not considered that the proposed amendments to the extension to the property gives rise to significant impacts than the originally approved application and therefore the recommendation was of approval of the application.

Councillor K P Hughes proposed that the application be approved and Councillor Eric W Jones seconded the proposal.

It was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations subject to the conditions within the written report.